PLEASE NOTE: International Student and Scholar Services cannot provide immigration advising to individuals who are not affiliated with Temple University. The ISSS office advises current Temple University students, prospective students and individuals who are sponsored by Temple University. Other individuals seeking immigration advice should consult with a qualified immigration attorney or the international student advisor at their schools.

Change of Status

Change of Status (COS) in the U.S.

Please read the following information with regards to Change of Status:

Individuals in B2 status are not permitted to study full-time until they have obtained F1 or J1 non-immigrant student status.

An F-2 dependent may study part-time in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school. An F-2 dependent may engage in a course of study that does not amount to what regulations define as full-time for an F-1.

Individuals in F-2 status may not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances. If you are in F-2 status and you are offered an assistantship, your change of status must be apporved before you can utilize it.

You must be able to maintain legal current non-immigrant status until the change of status application is approved.

Before you can submit a change of status application to USCIS you must first

A non-immigrant who travels abroad while an application for change of status is pending is considered to have abandoned the change of status application. The Department of Homeland Security will deny the application if they become aware of the departure.

Individuals in B-2 may not begin studying or working on campus until the change of status is approved by USCIS. Individuals in H-4 status may begin studying but may not work (including assistantships) until the change of status is approved.

Generally, the current non-immigrant status of a change of status applicant must be valid at the time the change of status application is received by USCIS and must remain valid up until the date that the new status is requested to begin.

There are two ways to obtain F-1 student status. Both options require that you obtain admission to the University as well as a Certificate of Eligibility from this office.